Animal trap



Sept. 8, 1925.

E. M. JENKINS ANIMAL TRAP Filed Sept. 18. 1924 7 syn/model Patented Sept. 3, 1925.

ED M. JENKINS, OF CQOPER, TEXAS.

ANIMAL TRAP.

Application filed September 18, 1924.. Serial No. 738,534.

To all whom it may concern: I

Be it known that I, En M. JENKINS, a citizen of the United. States of America, residing at Cooper, in the county of Delta and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal Traps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in animal traps.

The object of the invention is to provide a trap of the tilting; platform type involving certain new and novel features.

An object of the invention is to provide support including means for mountii'ip; and supporting the platform, a clip for engaging on the rim of a receptacle and a support for an approach.

Another object is to provide a tie member serving to provide a pivot for the platform, a bait holder and gauge for mounting the support on the receptacle.

A. construction designed to carry out the invention will be hereinafter described together with other features of the invention.

I The invention will be more readily under stood from a reading of the following speci cation. and by reference to the accom anying drawings. in which an example of the invention is shown. and wherein:

Fig. 1 is a view showing a trap constructed in accordance with my invention in position on the rim of a receptacle,

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same,

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the tie member,

Fig. 4c is a perspective view of a portion of the platform,

Fig. 5 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2,

Fig. 6 is a side view of a modii'ed form, and

Fig. 7 is an underside view of the central portion of the platform of the same.

In the drawing the numeral 10 designates a support which is made of a flat strip of spring metal bent to shape. The support comprises a clamp or clip the jaws 11 of which are formed by bending the strip upon itself with a fulcrum loop 12 at the upper and intersecting end. The forward end of the strip is bent outwardly and upwardly to form a stop 13; while the rear end is bent upwardly at an angle of approximately forty-live degrees to the perpendicular to form a platform restl l- The strip is again bent upon itself and extends a short distance down the rest to a point where it is bent outwardly to form a lipl.

A. platform 16 in the form of a. metal plate is provided with a transverse depression 17 intersected by an upstanding rocker 18 curved to tilt upon the fulcrum loop 12 which is received tlnrough slot formed under the rocker. The depression and rocker set rearwardly of the center of the plate so that the plate has its greater portion extending over and supported by the rest 14; while the forward or depressible end overhangs the stop 13 which limits the downward swing of the plate and prevents overialancing.

A novel feature is the tie member 19 which is formed of a single piece of wire bent upon itself to a transverse loop 20 and lugs 21 projecting at right angles to the loop. At the end of the loop one end of the wire is bent upward and carried over the loop to form pintle 22, while the other end of the wire is bent at right angles to the loop and carried forwardly to form an arm 23. The forward end of the arm is suitably bent to form a bait holder 24:.

In assembling the trap; the platform is mounted on the support wit-h the rocker resting on the fulcrum loop 12. The pintle 22 is passed along the depression 17 and threaded through the loop 12, and the loop 20 is rested against the front side of the clip with lugs 21 on each side thereof, said lugs preventing lateral displacement of the tie member 19. When the loop 20 engages the clip it forms a support for holding the arm 23 in position whereby the bait holder 24 is held in front of the platform.

In Figs. 6 and 7 I have shown a modified form in .which the depression 17 and the rocker are omitted and ears 25 are turned down on each side of the platform 16. The end 22 of the pintle is bent to fasten it in the plate. The platform rests upon the loop 12 which forms its fulcrum.

To install the trap the jaws 11 of the clip of the support 10 are sprung over the rim of a receptacle A as is shown in Figs. 1 and 2. This causes the upper edge of the rim to abut the loop 20 which acts as a'gaug e and prevents the clip being pushed too far down on the receptacle. The shorter end of the platform overha 21's the receptacle which may contain water. A board B having cleats or a ladder is placed with its upper end resting upon the lip 15. A nail driven through the upper end of the board may engage in a. hole 15 in the lip to hold the approach in place. The rear or longer end of the platform overhangs the rest 1% and meets the edge of the approach, The receptacle may be placed on a chair or box with its platform. level with a table or in any other suitable posit-ion.

Bait being placed in the holder 24 the trap is set. The animal, such as a rat or mouse crawls up the approach and slips upon the platform. As he reaches for the bait and steps upon the shorter end of the platform, the latter tilts and precipitates the animal into thereceptacle A. The platform is limited in its downward swing by the stop 13 and cannot assume a perpendicular position. The platform will return to its normal position.

Various changes inthe size and shape of the different parts, as well as modifications and alterations may be made within the scope of the appended claims.

\Vhat I claim is:

1. In an animal trap, the combination of an integral support having a fulcrum. at its upper end and including a clip for engaging over the rim of a. receptacle, a counter-balanced platform journaled on the fulcrum of the support, a stop directed outwardly at the lower end of the support in the path of the platform for limiting the tilting of the latter, a tie member comprising a pintle for securing the platform on the support, and a bait holder extending from and held in position by the tie member.

2. In an animal trap, a support having a fulcrum at its upper end and provided with a clip for engaging over the rim of a receptacle, a counter-balanced platform journaled on the fulcrum. of the support, a stop at the lower end of the support in the path of the platform for limiting the tilting of the latter, and a tie member formed of a single piece of wire bent upon itself to form a pintle for securing the platform on the support and having a portion extending under the platform together with an extension forming a bait holder, the portion ex tending under the platform having lugs on opposite sides ofthe support and forming a gauge for limiting the downward movement on a receptacle.

As a sub-con'ibination in an animal trap, a support formed of a flat strip bent upon itself to form a fulcrum at its upper end and an upright clip with a platform stop at its lower end and approach lip bent outwardly intermediate its ends.

4. A trap device comprising in combination, a supporting member provided with spring jaws, an inclined plate rest integral with one end of the supporting member, an oppositely projecting plate stop integral with the opposite end of the supporting member. av wire member bent to provide a bait holder and a hinge pintle, and a trap plate hinged on the supporting member and secured thereon by the pintle member, said plate normally resting at one end on the plate rest and impinging the said stop when tilted downward.

5. In a. trap device, the combination with a supporting member having a fulcrum loop at its upper end, of a trip plate having a transverse depression bisected by an upstanding rocker, said plate being supported in a horizontal. position by the supporting member, and a wire bait holder member bent with a loop portion under the plate resting on the supporting member and its adjacent free end forming a hinge pintle lying in the depression of the plate and passing through the rocker thereof.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ED M. JENKINS. 

